Blurb
They can pretend they2527re fine…
Moving to NYC is supposed to be the fresh start Kristy Andrews so desperately needs, but she can’t seem to shake the after-effects of having been kidnapped last year.
Detective Jackson Reed never meant to kill an innocent man, but knowing that doesn2527t change the guilt he lives with every single day.
But they can2527t hide forever…
When Kristy and Jackson meet, the connection is instantaneous, but neither is ready to open up about their pasts. Can love and trust conquer their demons?
In order to have a future, they2527ll have to face their past…
When Kristy starts receiving threatening messages, her anxiety kicks into overdrive, but the last thing she wants is Jackson worrying about her.
Jackson may doubt his ability to return to active duty, but he has no doubts about his instincts concerning Kristy. Someone is trying to hurt her, and he refuses to let that happen, even if it means going back to work; something he wasn2527t sure he2527d do.
As the threats increase, Jackson shows Kristy that strength doesn2527t mean facing her fears alone, and Kristy shows Jackson that forgiveness starts from within. Can they save each other before it2527s too late? Or will the past come back to haunt them?
Review
This is the second book in the Mending Hearts series by Kara Leigh Miller and Jody Holford.
Kristy Andrews survived being kidnapped last year by an evil politician who wanted to kill her best friend, Alessa. She2527s from Chicago but moved to New York City to be closer to Alessa and Alessa2527s friends. Kristy doesn2527t like to ask for help but it2527s clear to her friends she2527s not fine. She meets a handsome, moody stranger at the church she goes to and their connection is immediate.
NYPD Detective Jackson Reed attends group therapy sessions at the church because he accidently killed a criminal/informant in the line of duty. Though it was all an accident, he feels overwhelming guilt. He2527s distant from everyone who matters to him and he took a leave of absence from his job.
Kristy and Jackson fit well together. Though neither of them is looking for a relationship, it just sort of happens between them and they help heal one another. When Kristy starts to receive threatening messages, Jackson2527s instincts kick into gear.
While I liked the story, a few typos and inconsistencies with the first book stuck out at me. For example, the church in book 1 is Serenity Community Church and in book two it2527s First Avenue Church. Maybe Pastor Ethan changed the name of the church in the year that separates the two books but I don2527t think I read about that.
Anyway, I really liked Jackson and I understood his pain. I understood Kristy2527s, too, but I couldn2527t connect with her. She was in denial about the death threats and didn2527t take the trouble she was in seriously. In my opinion, she put herself in needless danger.
I don2527t read Inspirational books often but I enjoyed the scenes at the church because the main people involved are truly good, non-judgmental people (Alessa, Josh, Amanda, and Ethan). The story felt a little preachy at times but it didn2527t distract from my enjoyment.
This is a sweet, romantic story about two people who needed help to move on with their lives. A lesson can definitely be learned from this book: no matter the darkness you endure, there2527s always a light at the end of the tunnel but sometimes you just have to search for it.
4 Stars